As the introduction of "virtual general meetings of shareholders" using the Internet is increasing among companies, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has provided guidelines that summarize precautions for implementation, such as identity verification using IDs and passwords. created.
Under the Companies Act, directors and shareholders are allowed to attend general meetings of shareholders via the Internet if a physical venue is set up, and an increasing number of companies are introducing it from the perspective of preventing infection with the new coronavirus.
For this reason, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has created guidelines that summarize points to note when conducting a "Virtual Shareholders' Meeting."
As a result, in addition to verifying the identity using an ID and password to prevent spoofing, if more careful verification is required, such as shareholders with a certain level of voting rights, it is possible to display a face on the computer screen. It is said.
In addition, since it is expected that communication problems will occur, it is also included to allow a certain amount of time for the deadline for exercising voting rights.
Furthermore, in order to protect the privacy of shareholders, it is necessary to prohibit recording and take care not to show the face.
The government has a policy of establishing special measures for the Companies Act, saying that the needs for online-only general meetings of shareholders will increase in the future, and is aiming to enact amendments to related laws in the current Diet.